The Dollhouse (Pigeon & Noise Prince)

[Kotorichan]

Shiori nodded, smiling shyly. "I think so... You don't have to read that one if it does not interest you. I just thought that it might be a bit overwhelming to have so many options." He put back the Japanese book. "Um, you can keep looking instead. If you do not like that one you can just put it back and read a different one. And if you find one that is too long to finish today you can always finish it another day."

[Noise Prince]

"Ah, no, I'm interested!" Bruno assured him. "Really, it seems neat, I want to read it. And I appreciate you helping me… I would've gotten overwhelmed. If I had to choose something on my lonesome I might have gotten dizzy and passed out." Bruno grinned. And that was true, he could always get a new one if he didn't like this one. He didn't imagine he would, though, if Shiori thought it was good. It was definitely a book that'd take more than a day for him to read.

 

"Right, thank you, Shiori."

[Kotorichan]

Shiori smiled and took his hand again, lightly nuzzling close. "You are welcome..." He led the deer back to the living room and opened a cabinet to reveal a top of the line radio. "You can choose which station we listen to, I am fine with anything. I'll be asleep." He sat down on the edge of the couch and waited for Bruno to join him.

[Noise Prince]

Bruno awkwardly tucked the book under his arm, while Shiori nuzzled close to him. He was so sweet and gentle… he had every right to be mistrusting and hostile after what Carn had put him through, but he wasn't.

 

"Ah…" Bruno was amazed when Shiori revealed the radio. He had no idea how to use it, but with a bit of prodding, he found a station that played very mellow music. Perfect for reading and napping.

[Kotorichan]

Shiori lay down on the couch, resting his head on Bruno's lap. "If you get uncomfortable then please do not hesitate to wake me up." His cheeks flushed softly as he smiled up at the deer. "Thank you for being so sweet to me." He slowly closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh, falling asleep within minutes.

[Noise Prince]

Despite having so much hair, Shiori's head was so light on his lap.

 

"Okay," He lied. Not that he anticipated getting uncomfortable, but if he did, he wouldn't want to wake Shiori. He wondered how often he got the chance to sleep so peacefully. Next to Carn... it'd be difficult to sleep well, he had to imagine. Shiori fell asleep quickly. He seemed even more delicate and precious now. It was hard enough as it was trying to comprehend just what Shiori was going through, but to think someone could even be possible of it... especially someone you used to somewhat admire. Bruno turned his attention to the book, where the monster ceased to be a threat when he decided to close it.

[Kotorichan]

Shiori slept peacefully for about an hour, but eventually he began to whimper and squirm in his sleep. He always had nightmares, although Carn was always able to sleep through the crane's soft cries of fear. Sometimes Shiori would wake his husband with louder screams, other times he would get the attention of servants. But he usually went unnoticed.

[Noise Prince]

Bruno was actually really getting into the book, and getting genuinely freaked out by it. The monster hadn't even shown up yet… it was so scary still. His reading was interrupted by a slight twitch from Shiori. The twitch became a squirm, and the squirming led to whimpering.

 

He didn't want to wake him- and he didn't know if he should… but Shiori couldn't even have peace in his dreams.

 

"H-hey, Shiori…" He gently stroked the side of his face.

[Kotorichan]

"Hurts..." Shiori whimpered, his body trembling. "Please... Carn... Hurts..." Tears built up under his eyelids before trailing down his cheeks. "Sorry... So sorry..."

 

It didn't take much to rouse him out of his sleep, prompting a soft whimper of fear as his eyes finally opened. "A-ah... Bruno..?" He sat up shakily, looking around in confusion.

[Noise Prince]

As soon as Shiori sat up, Bruno took his arms around him and pulled him close. He was so angry... and sad... and weak. Here he was playing pretend as if that'd really help Shiori. He couldn't do anything for Shiori. Even when Shiori was napping on his lap, physical contact with someone who wanted to take care of him, he still couldn't have so much as a peaceful dream. Bruno couldn't do anything. He couldn't do anything.

 

"I'm sorry..."

[Kotorichan]

Shiori sniffled and leaned into the man's chest, closing his eyes slowly. "I am sorry... You did not do anything wrong." He let out a soft coo, fluffing up his feathers. "It... It was nice to wake up with you here... Instead of him..." He forced a gentle smile. "Thank you for being here with me."

[Noise Prince]

Bruno rested his chin on Shiori's shoulder. He didn't do anything wrong… but he wasn't really doing anything right, either. Shiori seemed so calm and happy now… so why was Bruno suddenly sinking? Shiori even thanked him for just being there… that's all he was doing, all he could do…

 

"I'm glad at least you woke up to something good…" he returned a forced smile.

[Kotorichan]

"You really are sweet..." Shiori leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of Bruno's lips. "Would you like to have some dinner now? I do not really feel like falling asleep again..." He looked away, gently taking the man's hand in his own. "If you are not hungry then we can wait if you would like."

[Noise Prince]

Bruno's eyebrows raised a little when Shiori gave him a peck to the corner of his mouth. How could Shiori always be so nice, even after waking up from a nightmare like that? Bruno was always pretty shaky after nightmares, and they weren't trauma-related.

"Oh, no, dinner sounds great right about now," Bruno told him, his smile becoming a bit more genuine, wrapping his hand around Shiori's in turn.

[Kotorichan]

Shiori gracefully rose to his feet, still holding the deer's hand. "What kind of food would you like?" He asked softly. "I am fine with anything... But I am curious to try the kinds of food that you usually like to eat."

[Noise Prince]

Bruno got up alongside him. Shiori was so cute. He wondered how much food outside Japanese food he'd ever gotten to try.

 

"Well, I am Italian, so I grew up with pasta n' the like. Lasagna, tortellini, ravioli, oh, spaghetti, of course," He paused. These might be information he took for granted. Shiori maybe hadn't had some of it before… or even knew what they were. Maybe Italian was completely alien to him. That'd be such a shame!

 

"Have you had anything like that? Probably spaghetti, right?" That was kind of like noodles in Asian foods, and was probably something the kitchen staff could make easily.

[Kotorichan]

Shirori stared at the man for a moment, his face showing pure confusion. "Su... Supa... Getti?" His brow furrowed at the unfamiliar words. "Lasugana?" He shook his head. "I am sorry, I do not know those... Maybe we could ask the cooks if they know how to make those things?"

[Noise Prince]

Bruno wasn't all that surprised that Shiori didn't know what these were- even spaghetti. But at least he could be there when he tried it for the first time. "Yeah, okay, let's ask for spaghetti- that'll be easier than lasagna and they probably have what they need to make it!"

[Kotorichan]

Shiori smiled up at the man, his cheeks flushed softly. "Thank you, I will show you where the kitchen is." He guided the deer to the kitchen. He was clearly trying to hold in his excitement and walk slowly so that Bruno could keep up with him. The crane was very curious about trying these new foods.

[Noise Prince]

Bruno grinned back, rather pleased with himself now, the doubts and stresses just moments ago seemed years away. He followed Shiori back towards the kitchen, that he could remember from the first tour. He was really excited to see Shiori try it for the first time. He bet they could make an amazing sauce to go with it, too!

[Kotorichan]

Shiori stopped when they reached the cook, who looked over with a gentle smile. "Ah, master Shiori, what would you like for dinner tonight?"

 

Shiori hesitated for a moment, looking up at Bruno. "Um..." He looked back to the cook. "Do you know how to make... S-Supageti?" He asked in a tiny voice.

 

"Oh, spaghetti?" The cook smiled. "Of course, I'll have to go buy a few ingredients but I can make a snack for you while you wait."

[Noise Prince]

Ah, Bruno should have ordered for them, Shiori had difficulty pronouncing it. But he felt a little weird making requests to the cook himself. Fortunately the cook understood what he meant, and seemed happy to do so. Bruno blushed a little when he said he'd have to buy some ingredients. He'd taken for granted that it was an easy, always-available food, but when Shiori's diet was so controlled, there just wasn't reason to have somethings around.

 

"Oh, that'd be so nice!" Bruno beamed. He was pretty hungry now, so a snack would really be nice. "How 'bout it?" He turned and asked Shiori, giving his hand a friendly squeeze.

[Kotorichan]

Shiori nodded quickly, his cheeks pink. "Y-yes please, if it is not too much trouble." He looked up at Bruno with a shy smile. "Would you like to sit with me in the living room while we wait?" He began to lead the deer away from the kitchen. "Or would you prefer the garden? I think the weather is nice today."

[Noise Prince]

Bruno smiled, following Shiori's lead. The mood felt nice, they were both feeling calm and happy, Bruno decided.

 

"Let's go to the garden, then," Bruno answered. That had seemed to be a place that had been quite good to the both of them, and Shiori found refuge there more than once. The deer would like to spend more time there with him.

[Kotorichan]

Shiori nodded and led him outside, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he felt the warmth of the evening sunlight. His wings spread very slightly as he walked into the garden and towards a bench under a canopy of fragrant roses. "Would this be alright?" He asked, slowly sitting on the bench and looking up to Bruno.